Hundreds of dead fish found floating in Bata river in Paradip

Paradip: Locals on Monday were shocked after hundreds of dead fish were found floating in Bata river near Balijhara slum under Paradip police limits.

While the exact cause of the fish deaths on such a large scale is yet to be ascertained, the locals have blamed illegal fish traders for the menace and it is being suspected that someone might have poisoned the water for fishing.

However, official sources cited that lack of oxygen in the river due to water stagnation and pollution could be one of the possible reasons behind menace.

The incident came to light after some fish traders of the slum came across the carcasses in the morning during netting. They later informed the matter to the district administration as well as the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).

The locals alleged they have collected at least two tonnes of dead fishes from the river, reports said.

Earlier, mass fish deaths were also reported in the river in 2016 and the re-run of the incident has now sparked resentment among the people.